VWOOM!
Ultra Psychic caught up to the earthquake's shockwave instantly. Smoothed it out.
Soon—the violently shaking earth gradually stilled.
"It... stopped?"
"We're saved..."
Citizens in the evacuation convoy—hands on heads, gripping railings—felt the tremors cease. After a long moment—finally exhaled in relief.
This roller-coaster evacuation. Destined to be etched in their memories forever.
Meanwhile—in the ruined city. Inside the massive crater.
THUD...
A massive form was also blown out by the shockwave. The body dissolved into light particles. A boy in a white shirt fell from mid-air. Hit the ground.
This was Shinji's first time facing a kaiju directly. The hardest battle he'd encountered so far.
Super Gob's body defense was stronger than theirs. An absolute formidable enemy.
Fortunately—Natsuki's combat experience was rich. Came up with an effective strategy.
"Finally... won."
Shinji lay on the ground. Face exhausted. Opened his eyes. Looked at the sky—ring-shaped cloud remnants pierced by the Spacium Beam. Exhaled deeply.
Beside him—Natsuki's phantom also lay spread-eagled. Mouth open. Eyes closed.
"That really wore me out..."
"Gonna need a good two sleeps to recover from this."
Natsuki spoke weakly. If this were his younger days—what's Super Gob? Even if they brought out Five King, he could fight three hundred rounds.
A hero doesn't boast of past glory.
"Not a shred of respect for the elderly..." He stared at the sky with lifeless eyes. Complained.
Shinji listened to his voice.
"But... Natsuki-san doesn't feel like an elderly person at all." Shinji voiced a doubt that had existed in his heart.
This Ultra veteran—except when acting like a veteran—showed no signs of being elderly otherwise.
"Hmph..."
"You'll understand when you reach my age." Natsuki felt no shame about his various un-elderly behaviors.
His age compared to many Space Garrison warriors—definitely counted as a senior. But compared to those real old-timers—he was still young.
This age on Earth-type places—absolutely fossil-level.
Playing the elderly card. Really... once you start, can't stop.
"Tokyo-2... destroyed." Shinji turned his head. Looked at the city—completely reduced to ruins. Spoke with somewhat low spirits.
Before heading to Tokyo-3, he'd always lived in Tokyo-2.
"No choice. Just keeping people alive took everything we had." For this situation, the Ultra veteran had a unique way of guidance. "Property, buildings—none of that is as precious as life."
"As long as people are alive, there's always a way."
"Besides... if you feel bad about their property loss, with your position in NERV, it's not like there's nothing you can do."
A boy's confusion—nothing much before a veteran.
Experienced the most desperate things already. This was nothing.
"Yeah..."
"I'll work hard together with everyone." After hearing this, the trace of self-blame in Shinji's heart swept away completely. Smiled. Said.
Natsuki-san was right. Rather than spending time blaming himself—better to act and do something.
The boy—step by step in growth—finally embraced his past self. Shed weakness. Became incredibly strong.
Already... a qualified warrior.
"Then... it's time to part ways." Natsuki's phantom smiled at Shinji. Then rose from the ground.
Originally—after hearing that Zero kid's experience—he was rather resistant to merging with humans. But this experience was unique for him too.
Personally nurturing a weak boy into a qualified warrior. He was satisfied.
This world's Travelers had all left. The kaiju used to cleanse this world was eliminated. Time to set off again.
"Will you continue pursuing them?" Shinji also pushed himself up from the ground. Asked Natsuki.
"That's right."
"Collecting Space-Time Source Energy for sealing... and able to summon kaiju that exist in history. I must thoroughly investigate their identities as soon as possible." Natsuki looked up at the sky. Gaze serious.
The upper limit of what level kaiju the enemy could summon—completely unknown. This task full of unknowns—he couldn't trust it to young warriors.
As for this world—after he sent the message back to the Land of Light, a new planetary observer would arrive soon. Prevent the enemy's second attack.
"Shinji... you've already worked hard enough." Natsuki looked at Shinji. Saw his determined eyes. Knew what the boy was thinking.
He stepped forward. Reached out. Ruffled the boy's hair.
"Your family is waiting for you. I saved your mother—not so she could watch her son fall into danger again."
"You're already an excellent adult. Should learn to shoulder your responsibilities. Your family needs you. Your friends need you. Those injured in the disaster need you too."
Then—withdrew his hand.
His form and the bracelet on Shinji's right wrist floated skyward together. In a flash of light—became the red-and-silver giant.
Gentle gaze looked down at the boy below.
"The universe is vast. But the bond between us can cross infinite distance. When the mission ends, we'll meet again." After leaving these words—the giant flew toward the sky.
Shinji looked up. Watched the departing giant.
Adam's apple rolled.
Every memory from this time flashed through his mind. He stepped forward. Ran toward the direction the giant was leaving.
While running—shouted words Natsuki-san once taught him: "The Five Ultra Oaths! First, don't go to school on an empty stomach..."
Crystal tears scattered with his running motion. He called out. Heart full of gratitude for this hero who saved him.
The boy's slightly hoarse voice—especially clear in this silent city ruins.
"Thank you! Natsuki-san!"
"Thank you for all the encouragement during this time, and... the light you passed to me!" Shinji Ikari finally stopped. Cupped his hands around his mouth. Shouted hysterically.
Having merged with light—he was no longer ordinary. More importantly—during this time, his heart received true redemption. Conquered his own fate.
The giant heard the boy's call.
After leaving Earth—passed through star-like gates. Continued the journey.
The enemy's true identity... was getting closer and closer to him.
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